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Each financial statement of a paid semester of tuition for Mimi Guiracocha ’13 is a receipt of God’s faithfulness. She grew up in one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country: Albany Park, on the northwest side of Chicago. The daughter of Hispanic immigrants, Mimi wasn’t materially well off. But she seems to have been afforded an extra measure of faith. Though her trust that God will provide has been tested time and time again throughout her three years at Wheaton, each time God has proven mighty. When she graduates in May, she will be the first of her family to complete a college degree.

On top of studying biology/pre- nursing, singing in the Gospel Choir, and actively serving with Unidad Cristiana, Mimi worked in the alumni relations office and at The Bank restaurant to earn enough money for tuition.

At the beginning of her sophomore year, Mimi attended the HoneyRock leadership retreat one week before school started, not sure where the money for the next semester was going to come from. She contacted the admissions office to explain her need and to ask if there were available scholarships.

The last night of the retreat, during a communion service, there was a time of prayer and worship. Mimi asked for prayer about her financial situation.

The next week, she received word of a scholarship that brought her within $50 of what she had saved. “Whenever you think you don’t have enough, God finds a way. He is an omnipotent God. He exceeded my expectations,” she says.

Many at Wheaton have drawn encouragement from Mimi’s faith, including Dr. Kristin Page, professor of biology, who says, “She just knows when she needs something, God’s going to provide. Her testimony is so important for other students who may not yet realize how much they have to depend on faith.”

Dr. Page first met Mimi at Wheaton’s Science Station in the Black Hills and has enjoyed watching her progress. “She works very hard and has become an excellent writer and such a good scientist,” she says, noting that Mimi’s gracious honesty has also made her an important advocate on campus for diversity and minorities.

For her part, Mimi says Dr. Page and others have helped get her through some difficult moments. “When I look back at Wheaton, I will see the amazing mentors who have guided me, and I will also see the faithfulness of God providing the finances.” Her favorite Wheaton Gospel Choir song concludes with the words, “No praise is high enough to explain how great you are…Lord, you’re almighty.”

After graduation, Mimi hopes to work among under-served populations. She plans to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner in a pediatric oncology unit.

“Later in life I hope to take some of that experience overseas, back to Latin America,” she says. Her achievements and trust in God’s faithfulness have made her the orgullo (pride) of her family and her school.